Female Obstetrician-gynecologists Research Articles

Attitudes and practice patterns of Finnish obstetrician-gynecologists regarding patients' sexual problems

ObjectiveFemale sexual problems are common but are not routinely assessed in obstetrician-gynecologist appointments. Therefore, we evaluated obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes and practice patterns regarding their patients' sexual problems. Study designA web-based questionnaire was used to collect information from each respondent on gender, age, education, occupational status, and the total number of patients treated per day and sexual issues dealt with per day. Main outcome measuresThis study covered three fields of interest: 1) attitudes toward sexual problems, 2) practice patterns in sexual history-taking, and 3) practice patterns in the treatment of sexual problems. ResultsOf the 328 respondents, 299 provided eligible responses (specialists, 83 %, n = 249; residents, 17 %, n = 50). Almost all obstetrician-gynecologists (95 %) considered treating sexual problems as an important health care practice, but only 45 % and 53 % asked about sexual problems and sexual life satisfaction during general medical history-taking, respectively. Most obstetrician-gynecologists (86 %) used open conversation to assess sexual history. Half (52 %) of them reported that diagnosing female sexual problems is difficult, with the female obstetrician-gynecologists (54 %) more likely to report difficulty than the male obstetrician-gynecologists (29 %). Of the obstetrician-gynecologists, 15 % prescribed medications, whereas 58 % prescribed other treatments. A third (34 %) received distinct instructions from their organization for referring patients to continued care. ConclusionsAlthough almost all obstetrician-gynecologists reported that treating sexual problems is an important health care issue, fewer than half routinely inquired about sexual problems. The practice patterns regarding sexual problems were disorganized. Our results show a need for additional clinical practice guidelines and education in sexual medicine.

Exploring the physician's role in contraceptive counseling at the time of abortion in the US

ObjectiveWe explored how physicians conceptualize their role in contraceptive counseling at the time of abortion, including identifying clinician attitudes that may lead to patients’ perceptions of contraceptive coercion. Study designWe conducted individual semi-structured interviews using questions based on components of the Theory of Planned Behavior. We recruited physician abortion providers using purposeful sampling to attain diversity in practice setting and geographic practice region. We analyzed transcribed interviews using initial and values coding methods. ResultsWe interviewed 39 participants across the United States, who primarily self-reported as White female obstetrician gynecologists (OB/GYNs) aged 25 to 44. Over half of participants practiced in an academic setting. Participants perceived providing patient education and taking a patient-centered approach as part of their role in contraceptive counseling. Participants also believed it was their responsibility to prevent unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions among their patients. External motivations behind this belief included wanting patients to avoid the challenges of obtaining another abortion, particularly in states with multiple abortion restrictions. Internal motivations included valuing professional goal attainment, discomfort with abortion, and abortion stigma. When physicians counseled about contraception, many expressed preferences toward methods of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and an emphasis on contraception provision for adolescents and women with prior abortions. ConclusionsPhysicians providing abortions strive to use a patient-centered approach to contraceptive counseling. However, many continue to be motivated by the goal of avoiding a subsequent abortion which patients may perceive as coercion towards contraceptive uptake. ImplicationsConsidering contraceptive counseling as a means to prevent subsequent abortion may lead to coercive practices, especially with specific patient populations. Moral codes and abortion stigma influence physicians’ counseling practices and physicians must examine their personal values and motivations behind recommending contraception after an abortion.

Characteristics Related to Choice of Obstetrician-Gynecologist among Women of Ethiopian Descent in Israel.

Background: Patient satisfaction with the quality of health care services is complex with many known factors impacting upon satisfaction, among them the choice of physician. Previous studies examined characteristics of a woman’s choice of gynecologist, but information regarding reasons for these choices among women of Ethiopian descent is lacking. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics related preference of an obstetrician-gynecologist based on gender among women of Ethiopian descent. Method: Analysis of anonymous self-reported questionnaire distributed to 500 women of Ethiopian descent who visited an obstetrician-gynecologist at least once in the past three years (Mean age 29.5; SD = 8.2). Trust in physician was examined using the TPS scale; service quality was checked using the SERVQUAL; and the 5Qs model was used to measure patient’s satisfaction of health care. Results: Very religious (84.1%) and religious (53.6%) women of Ethiopian descent were more likely to prefer a female obstetrician-gynecologist compared to traditional (39.3%) or secular (34.4%) women (p < 0.001). Participants had higher probability to prefer a male gynecologist if they had more employment hours (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.72–7.42, p < 0.001), and the responsiveness of the physician was less important to them (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60–0.99, p < 0.05). Age of participants, country of birth, years in Israel, family status, being a mother, education or health status were not associated with choosing a female obstetrician-gynecologist. Religious women would prefer to wait longer for a female gynecologist due to modesty imperatives, even at the cost of compromising their health as a result of waiting longer. Conclusions: The findings of this research highlight the importance of accessibility to female obstetrician-gynecologists for women of Ethiopian descent and demonstrate that determinants in the host population rather than immigrant’s past culture, affect the women’s decision. This study demonstrates the importance of the health care system in Israel to enable more female obstetrician-gynecologists to treat women of Ethiopian descent.

Features of the Organism`s Adaptation of Female Obstetrician-Gynecologists to the Existing Working Conditions

Objective: to establish the features of the organism`s adaptation of female obstetrician-gynecologists to the existing working conditions .Material and methods. The features of the organism`s adaptation of female obstetrician-gynecologists (main group, n = 64) of in-patient and maternity welfare clinics, therapists of local territorial out-patient clinics (comparison group, n = 31), as well as female employees of health organizations with higher education not providing medical care (control group, n = 31) to the existing working conditions were evaluated on the basis of sociological, hygienic, and statistical research methods.Results. The obstetrician-gynecologists worked in harmful working conditions: class 3.3. - in the in-patient hospitals and class 3.2. - in the out-patient clinics. Almost half of the examined female obstetrician-gynecologists revealed decreased adaptive reserves of the organism, whose degree of manifestation was reliably different from the women of the control group (p ˂ 0.05).Conclusion. The harmful working conditions at the workplaces of female obstetrician-gynecologists lead to the breakdown of the organism`s adaptive mechanisms and create a professional risk for the subsequent development of a wide range of somatic pathologies.

Role of Physician Gender in the Modern Practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Do Obstetrician-Gynecologists Perceive Discrimination from their Sex?

It is unclear whether obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) experience gender discrimination as a result of patient and organizational gender preferences. Our objective was to evaluate whether the gender preference for OBGYNs resulted in perceptions of discrimination by the physician while simultaneously assessing their patients' views for choosing their OBGYN. A survey assessed whether OBGYNs' perceptions of patients and employers' preferences for gender in selecting an OBGYN affected their clinical practice and resulted in feelings of discrimination. Providers' patients simultaneously completed a survey to explore the role of gender in the selection of their OBGYN. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thirty-four physicians (97% response rate) and 803 patients (81% response rate) completed the survey. The majority of male physicians agreed that their gender negatively affects their patient practice volume (60%), whereas no female physicians agreed with this statement (0%, P < 0.01). Female physicians were more likely to agree (46%) that they are discriminated against because of gender in terms of salary as compared with male physicians (20%, P = 0.049), however. Although more women who see a female OBGYN (compared with those who see a male OBGYN) perceive that their physician's gender is important to them (62% versus 20%, P < 0.01), the most frequent reason all women chose their OBGYN is the "rating" of the physician. Female and male OBGYNs perceive bias because of their gender; however, the former is because of compensation and the latter is because of patient preferences. The majority of women choose their OBGYN based on the physician's rating and not on the physician's sex, however.

Does Physician Gender Impact the Clinical Productivity and Salaries of Obstetrician-Gynecologists?

Background: Male medical student interest in the field of obstetrics-gynecology has significantly decreased in the last three decades. A perceived patient preference for female obstetrician- gynecologists (Ob-Gyn) and subsequent gender differences in clinical productivity and compensation may influence this trend. Objective: To explore how provider gender affects clinical productivity and salary among obstetrics- gynecology generalists. Methods: An analysis of productivity and salary data for generalist Ob-Gyns employed by an academic integrated health system was performed. Gross charges, net collections, physician payroll information, work relative value units (wRVUs), new and existing patient encounter volumes and clinical full-time equivalent (FTE) status were compared year over year by physician gender using a repeated measures ANOVA test. Results: On average, male providers earned a numerically higher salary in each year studied, but when the entire timeframe was evaluated, there was no significant difference in salary nor total productivity between women and men (p=0.19 and 0.15, respectively). There was a gender difference in how total productivity was achieved, with women seeing twice as many new patients (p= 0.0025), and men achieving higher average wRVUs per patient encounter (p=0.02). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in total productivity and there was no significant difference in salaries between male and female Ob-Gyns. However, there were differences in the type of care that contributed to productivity by gender. Female providers saw a higher proportion of new patient encounters, while male providers accrued a higher wRVU per encounter, likely as a result of higher procedure volumes. These findings are an encouraging sign that men are not disadvantaged in terms of productivity in obstetrics-gynecology and that compensation models such as the one in this system can promote fair payment in mixed-gender physician groups.&lt;/P&gt;

Wstępne monitorowanie nozologiczne stanu zdrowia kobiet będących lekarzami położnikami-ginekologami

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Lisok A, Naumov I, Pavliukovets A, Makarov S, Svistunovich L. Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists. Health Problems of Civilization. 2019;13(4):316-322. doi:10.5114/hpc.2019.88302. APA Lisok, A., Naumov, I., Pavliukovets, A., Makarov, S., & Svistunovich, L. (2019). Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists. Health Problems of Civilization, 13(4), 316-322. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpc.2019.88302 Chicago Lisok, Alena, Igor Naumov, Anastasia Pavliukovets, Sergey Makarov, and Larisa Svistunovich. 2019. "Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists". Health Problems of Civilization 13 (4): 316-322. doi:10.5114/hpc.2019.88302. Harvard Lisok, A., Naumov, I., Pavliukovets, A., Makarov, S., and Svistunovich, L. (2019). Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists. Health Problems of Civilization, 13(4), pp.316-322. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpc.2019.88302 MLA Lisok, Alena et al. "Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists." Health Problems of Civilization, vol. 13, no. 4, 2019, pp. 316-322. doi:10.5114/hpc.2019.88302. Vancouver Lisok A, Naumov I, Pavliukovets A, Makarov S, Svistunovich L. Pre-nosological monitoring of the health statuses of female obstetrician-gynecologists. Health Problems of Civilization. 2019;13(4):316-322. doi:10.5114/hpc.2019.88302.

Assessment of Obstetrician-Gynecologists Performing Laparoscopic Surgery: Study of Hand Size and Surgical Instruments

The hypothesis of this study is that small-handed female obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) experience more physical stress while performing laparoscopic surgery compared to large-handed OB/GYNs. The size and grip and pinch strength of surgeon’s hands were measured and compared to the average size hands of females and males reported in the U.S. anthropometric literature databases on body dimensions. A descriptive questionnaire was administrated to six OB/GYN surgeons (five females and one male) to obtain general background information, including personal work experience and musculoskeletal disorders symptoms (MDSs). Operating room assessment using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), a standard ergonomic assessment tool, and photographs/video that recorded body postures and motions of the surgeons was performed to identify risk factors of work-related MSDs. Primary findings from this study included: 1. Small-handed female OB/GYNs reported difficulty using laparoscopic instruments. 2. Small-handed female OB/GYNs experienced more physical stress according to RULA and questionnaire results while performing laparoscopic surgery compared to large- handed male and female OB/GYNs in this study. 3. Awkward postures tended to be more prevalent among smaller OB/GYNs as a function of surgical workstation layout and laparoscopic hand tools. Based on the observation, laparoscopic instruments need to be reengineered to help reduce the physical stress for small-handed surgeons.

A Cross-sectional Survey of Womens Provider Gender Preferences for Gynecology and Obstetrics Care at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Objective: This study investigated women’s gender preferences for their obstetrician-gynecologist. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of participants (aged >14 years) visiting the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah in March 2015. The main outcome measures included respondents’ gender preferences regarding their obstetrician-gynecologists and their ratings of the quality of care provided by male and female obstetrician-gynecologists. Results: Of the 500 women invited, 418 accepted and participated in this survey (response rate, 83.6%). Approximately 52.6% of the respondents reported selecting their physicians. Most respondents preferred a female provider for pelvic examinations (77.1%), for new-born care (64.5%), for having primary health screening (61.2%), and for major gynecological surgery (47.0%). The most common factors that affected a woman’s decision when choosing a physician were comfort with a female practitioner (20.2%), husband's preference for a female doctor (11.7%), and the physician's knowledge (11.7%). The most important physician attribute that highly impacts women’s decisions is the experience of the physician (54.5%). Across all income levels, women were likely to consult a female obstetrician/gynecologist more often and for longer periods (p=0.010). Conclusion: Women visiting the gynecology and obstetrics clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital prefer a female gynecologist-obstetrician.

"El hecho de que sean más mujeres, no garantiza nada": feminización y experiencias de las mujeres en la ginecobstetricia en México

In the framework of an increasing feminization of the medical profession in Mexico, this article explores the characteristics of this process in the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. Understanding feminization as a process of change to be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, the article focuses special attention on the experiences of female obstetrician-gynecologists within a medical specialty that has since its origins functioned as a mechanism of control over women's bodies. Based on ethnographic research, the article combines statistical and archival sources and field observation. The interviews reveal the experiences and tensions women obstetrician-gynecologists encounter in this context.

"The fact that there are more women doesn't guarantee anything": the feminization of obstetrics and gynecology and the experiences of female medical professionals in Mexico

In the framework of an increasing feminization of the medical profession in Mexico, this article explores the characteristics of this process in the obstetrics and gynecology specialty. Understanding feminization as a process of change to be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, the article focuses special attention on the experiences of female obstetrician-gynecologists within a medical specialty that has since its origins functioned as a mechanism of control over women's bodies. Based on ethnographic research, the article combines statistical and archival sources and field observation. The interviews reveal the experiences and tensions women obstetrician-gynecologists encounter in this context.

Ages of Obstetrician–Gynecologists at Retirement From Clinical Practice

INTRODUCTION: Expansion of medical school enrollment in the 1960s through 1980s has led to more baby boomer physicians reaching retirement age. The objectives were to determine the number of obstetrician–gynecologists nearing retirement age and how eventual retirement will affect the future supply of obstetrician–gynecologists. METHODS: This descriptive study was based on data from the most recent 5 years (2008–2013) of the American Medical Association Masterfile. A comparison of the data with the National Provider Identifier was used to correct for the known upward bias in retirement ages using the American Medical Association Masterfile alone. Physicians were included only if they described their active practice as being in obstetrics–gynecology. The primary outcome was discrete retention curves, akin to Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: A decline in the number of obstetrics–gynecology practitioners began at 55 years old. The approximately 11,000 obstetrician–gynecologists nearing retirement (55–67 years old) is comparable to the number in residency and within 5 years of residency completion. Although those physicians nearing retirement were predominantly male, no differences in retirement curves were found between senior male and female obstetrician–gynecologists. The annual rate of retirement increased from 0.6% for 55 year olds to 4.3% for 65 year olds. Most retired by age 67 years. If all obstetrician–gynecologists retired 2 years later, an additional 900 health care practitioners would be available. CONCLUSIONS: The large cohort of obstetrician–gynecologists approaching retirement bears tracking, because the supply of young physicians is not anticipated to increase. Extending time until retirement will aid in reducing a pending shortage of obstetrician–gynecologists.

A study on personal mode of delivery among Chinese obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives and nurses

Medical staff, especially those working in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, have been considered to mostly influence pregnant women on the decision making of delivery mode. To investigate mode of delivery among Chinese female obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives and nurses and to explore reasons why they choose cesarean section (CS) for themselves and their advice on mode of delivery. Questionnaires including demographic characteristics, their mode of delivery and the reason as well as their suggestion when consulted by pregnant women were administered to 293 participants. 69.7 % was the overall CS rate and 49.0 % without any medical indications. The main reasons for CS were safety for both fetus and mother, easier and quicker labor, fear of injury to the fetus in vaginal delivery (VD), worrying about various unpredicted risk problems in VD and disbelief of VD skills. Those who had experienced CS were more likely to agree with the maternal request for CS or even gave a suggestion straightly for CS. There is a high rate of CS among Chinese medical staff working in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Future efforts to reduce the national CS rate would focus on the delivery practice of medical staff, modification of national policies including the one-child policy and promotion of VD skills.

Clinical Needs of Patients Attending a Women's Health Center in Japan

Many women's health centers (WHC) in Japan use female obstetrician-gynecologists, not trained in primary care medicine, as providers. It is not known whether the clinical needs of patients at WHC are met by these providers. To identify the clinical needs of patients attending a WHC in Japan by examining their presenting problems and diagnoses. We performed a case-series study of 53 patients at a WHC in a public medical center in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Charts were reviewed for the presenting problems and diagnoses. The most common presenting complaints were related to the female genital system or the breast (42%) and psychological problems (13%). At discharge, the most common diagnoses were psychological (42%). The next most common diagnoses were related to the female genital system or the breast (36%). The remainder (22%) were related to a variety of organ systems. Patients at the WHC presented with not only gynecological but also general medical and psychological problems and had discharge diagnoses involving a variety of organ systems. Physicians at WHCs should be trained in primary care medicine to meet the clinical needs of patients.

Gender Gaps in Income and Productivity of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

To investigate differences in income, productivity, and practice style between male and female obstetrician-gynecologists between 1990 and 2002. The primary data were the Socioeconomic Surveys of Fellows conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The surveys contained complete responses from 3,698 obstetrician-gynecologists. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate gender differences in income, productivity, and practice style. Female obstetrician-gynecologists were younger, had been in medical practice fewer years, earned lower annual incomes ($196,000 versus $257,000), and exhibited lower productivity. Even when considering only young obstetrician-gynecologists (40 years old or younger), women earned annual incomes that were 23% lower, worked 10% fewer hours, saw 9% fewer patients, and performed 21% fewer procedures. The raw income gap between male and female obstetrician-gynecologists of all ages fell from 31% in 1990 to 19% in 2002, whereas for young obstetrician-gynecologists it remained stable at approximately 19%. However, despite this apparent stability, the nature of the income gap changed: whereas differences in productivity and practice style explained only half of the income gap in the 1990s, by 2002 these factors explained nearly all of the income gap. Between 1990 and 2002, female obstetrician-gynecologists earned lower annual incomes than male obstetrician-gynecologists, even when matched on age. However, by 2002 this income gap was almost entirely explained by gender differences in productivity and practice patterns.

The Influence of Physician Race and Gender on Obstetrician–Gynecologistsʼ Annual Incomes

A study using 1998 data concluded that incomes of male and female obstetrician-gynecologists were essentially equivalent, after considering only differences in productivity. We examined the association between gender, race, and obstetrician-gynecologists' incomes, after correcting for productivity and other important practice and provider characteristics. Survey responses obtained from 1992 to 2001 from 962 actively practicing obstetrician-gynecologists and linear regression modeling were used to estimate the influence of race and gender on physicians' annual incomes after controlling for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics. Compared with white male and black female obstetrician-gynecologists, black men reported seeing 5% more patient visits and working 18% more hours, while white women reported seeing 18% fewer visits and working 10% fewer annual hours. Women were more likely to be nonowner employees than men. White female obstetrician-gynecologists were less likely than the other groups to be board certified. After adjustment for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics, black men's mean reported annual income was 210,859 dollars, or 78,905 dollars (27%) lower than that for white men (95% confidence interval [CI] 120,082 dollars to 37,729 dollars lower; P < .001); white women's was 242,721 dollars, or 47,043 dollars (16%) lower (95% CI 70,127 dollars to 23,958 dollars lower; P < .001); and black women's was 246,355 dollars, or 43,409 dollars (15%) lower (95% CI 92,296 dollars to 5,478 dollars higher, P = .08). During the 1990s, both black race and female gender were associated with substantially lower annual incomes among obstetrician-gynecologists. These findings warrant further exploration to ensure that income differences among physicians are not unjustly driven by race or gender.

Do women prefer care from female or male obstetrician-gynecologists? A study of patient gender preference.

To determine whether men should be encouraged to enter the medical specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. A self-administered survey was designed for and distributed to patients (N=264) in 13 obstetrics and gynecology waiting rooms in Connecticut. The survey was used to determine whether there were any patient preferences with regard to the gender of physicians providing obstetric and gynecologic care within this population. In addition, the rationale for any preferences was analyzed. The majority of patients (66.6%) had no gender bias when selecting an obstetrician-gynecologist, and an even larger majority (198, 80.8%) felt that physician gender does not influence quality of care. There was no statistical difference in patient satisfaction based on physician sex. Respondents self-reporting gender bias rarely selected obstetrician-gynecologists based solely on this factor and frequently choose physicians of the sex that was not their indicated preference, suggesting that several factors other than gender preference are more important in physician selection. The majority of women surveyed did not select their obstetrician-gynecologists based solely on physician gender. Although a small percentage of survey respondents did indicate a gender preference, it rarely influenced physician selection and was only a minor consideration when compared with other desirable physician attributes.

Gender Bias Against Male Obstetrician–Gynecologists in Womenʼs Magazines

To evaluate whether gender bias against male obstetricians and other male physicians is found in popular women's magazines. Issues of Cosmopolitan, Fitness, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, and Redbook were searched for medically related articles from July 2001 to December 2002. The articles were analyzed for the number and gender of physicians quoted, the number of gender-specific pronouns and negative gender-specific pronouns, and the number of pictured physicians by gender. Female obstetrician-gynecologists were interviewed as health care resources 47-80% of the time, which is higher than expected when compared with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists membership numbers (P < .01). A similar phenomenon was found when discussing physicians in general (P < .001). Female physicians were more than 20 times more likely to have an identifying photograph. Pronouns used to identify negative physician traits accounted for 17% of the total pronouns when identifying female obstetrician-gynecologists and other specialties but accounted for 92% of the total pronouns when identifying male obstetrician-gynecologists and 77% of the pronouns when identifying other male physicians (P < .001). In 5 magazines, physicians had their quoted gender pronouns changed from gender neutral to reflect female-specific pronouns. In women's interest magazines, there is a gender bias against male obstetrician-gynecologists as well as male physicians in general. This may serve to undermine the physician-patient relationship and be detrimental to women's health care. III.

Attitude towards health and hormone replacement therapy among female obstetrician–gynecologists in Israel

Objective: To assess Israeli women gynecologists toward their own health, their health related behaviors and to assess attitude towards and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: Ninety five actively employed hospital and community women gynecologist completed a questionnaire on attitude towards self-health, way of life, smoking habits, and regular breast, blood, pap smear examinations and HRT. Results: Mean BMI was 25.3 Kg/m 2±4.2, 61% considered themselves above average weight, and only 39% estimated their weight as appropriate. Fifty six percent were on active weight-loss diets, and 35% were current smokers. Blood tests, pap smears and breast evaluations were regularly done by 73.4, 91.5, and 64.1%, respectively. Overall, 74% of the gynecologists had a positive opinion about HRT; 70% of the menopausal subgroup had ever used HRT, and 93.3% of the perimenopausal subgroup intended to use it. The main reason for starting HRT was climacteric symptoms, and for stopping or avoiding HRT were equally bleeding, fear of cancer and adverse reactions towards HRT. By far the oral HRT mode was the most popular and 90% of users expressed satisfaction with treatment. Conclusions: Israeli women gynecologists are aware and maintain carefully their health, excluding cigarette smoking. The high rate of use and awareness of HRT among this group is encouraging considering that gynecologist serves as role model for the public and maintains the main source of HRT in the community.

Characteristics of female obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States

Objective: To describe characteristics of United States female obstetrician-gynecologists, a large and growing group, and to contrast them with other female physicians. Methods: We contrasted data from 313 obstetrician-gynecologists to data from 4132 other female physician respondents to the Women Physicians’ Health Study, a national questionnaire-based study. Results: Obstetrician-gynecologists assumed fewer domestic responsibilities, reported higher personal and household incomes, and were more likely to be in a group practice than other female physicians. Female obstetrician-gynecologists’ personal health behaviors and other personal characteristics, career satisfaction, and desire to remain in their specialty were similar to those of other female physicians. Obstetrician-gynecologists did more counseling and screening than primary care physicians (family and general practitioners and internists) with respect to breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Obstetrician-gynecologists performed equivalently to primary care physicians with respect to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), colorectal cancer, blood pressure, weight, exercise, and smoking, performed like other specialists with respect to cholesterol, skin cancer, and flu vaccine, and between these two groups with respect to nutrition and alcohol. Obstetrician-gynecologists’ perceived relevance of, training in, and confidence regarding counseling were higher for HRT and breast cancer compared with other physicians. Conclusion: Obstetrician-gynecologists have many similarities with other female physicians, including level of career satisfaction, but earned more and assumed fewer domestic responsibilities. Although obstetrician-gynecologists counseled more than other specialists, with the increasing role of obstetrician-gynecologists as primary care doctors, it is noteworthy that female obstetrician-gynecologists frequently provide gynecologic-specific preventive care, but are less likely to address other non-obstetric-gynecologic areas of prevention. This finding could be transformed by continued changes in the education of residents and practicing physicians.